Automating hospitality in times of social distancing

The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel and hospitality sectors to a halt. The calls to enact social distancing measures mean no more travelling or meeting friends at pubs or restaurants. The consequences are devastating for airlines, hotels, events, restaurants etc. and result in closures and job loss around the world. Although governments have taken various measures to address these, we can expect consumers to remain cautious when interacting with others, thus continuing the negative impact beyond t he end of the crisis.

 Giving a careful consideration to immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic and social distancing measures on overall consumer behaviour and business continuity, integrating automation into service operations could help addressing some of the issues around safety and access

Attitude Change

 In this period of isolation, we are witnessing how people change behaviours that long have been taken for granted: shaking hands or standing closely next to somebody to order drinks at a bar

Importantly, having limited mobility and restricted access to services while in lockdown may bring about felt needs for automated services and self-service technologies. Some consumers may get used to ordering meals online or through an app and opting for 'click and collect' or delivery for other shopping needs.

Beneficial Automation

As suggested here, key to implementing automation in travel and hospitality is ensuring that the technology will bring value and benefits to the industry and its people. We have seen cases where robots and other automated machines can help with the operational upkeep of buildings and facilities. Hotels employ robots to sanitise rooms and common areas, freeing staff from risk of contamination

With the likes of World Health Organisation (WHO) implementing chatbots to spread information about COVID-19, businesses can use similar conversational agents to engage employees and customers while they are on lockdown

Responsible Adoption

Looking into the future, the emphasis should be about responsible adoption of automation, whereby technologies augment people in delivering what the businesses do best: hospitality. As outlined here, adoption of automation in the travel and hospitality sectors should be balanced with priorities to invest in people. Perhaps while letting the robots handle things at work, we should give employees opportunities to up their digital skills at home, but only if they wish to.

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Accor launches day-room bookings across 10 hotels in Bangkok for use as private offices

Accor is offering a day-use room package across 10 hotels in Bangkok to guests who need a private office space for the day.

Bangkokians who are desperately looking for a spacious hideaway to get their job done or who need a quiet place to focus on an important project can now book a room for up to 8 hours between 8:00am-8:00pm in 10 hotels.

Participating hotels are located all over Bangkok to enable local residents to select a private office location that is close to their homes:

• GRAND MERCURE ASOKE RESIDENCE

• GRAND MERCURE BANGKOK FORTUNE

• PULLMAN BANGKOK KING POWER

• PULLMAN BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT

• VIE HOTEL BANGKOK MGALLERY

• IBIS Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit Phra Khanong

• IBIS STYLES BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT 50

• NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE

• NOVOTEL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT 20

• MERCURE BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT 11

   Accor recommends that all travellers review guidance from the World Health Organization and follow any travel advice issued by the Thai authorities.

  Last week, Accor announced the launch of the 'ALL Heartist Fund', a COVID-19 special purpose vehicle dedicated to supporting employees and partners globally. This fund will typically assist the Group's 300,000 employees, pledging to pay for their COVID-19-related hospital expenses, for those who do not have social security or medical insurance, as well as furloughed employees suffering great financial distress.

  The fund will also seek to support individual partners facing financial difficulty and assist in the deployment of solidarity initiatives to support front-line healthcare professionals and non-profit organisations.

Marriott International Lights Up Across Asia Pacific To Spark Hope

Hong Kong -- Marriott International across Asia Pacific will light up its properties to send a positive message, offering a ray of hope to the communities they are in for locals and travellers alike. The "Light for Hope" initiative looks to spread positivity amidst the challenging times the world is currently facing.

 Over 270 hotels across various cities and regions, from Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Jakarta, Maldives, Mumbai and many more have lit up their hotel rooms to the symbol of a smiley face, as seen from the façade of the hotel. The symbol was chosen to project a happy demeanour radiating positivity, with hopes that it brings a smile to the faces of everyone who sees it.

"In times of uncertainty one thing remains certain - we are in this together, and we will come out stronger", said Craig S.

Putting people first is at core of Marriott International. Hotels across Asia-Pacific have been going above and beyond to demonstrate the extraordinary collective power of people to help others

In these challenging and unprecedented times, associates from hotels across Asia Pacific have volunteered over 40,000 hours to serve their communities

Throughout April, guests and travellers can view the "Light for Hope" initiative at select Marriott International hotels across Asia Pacific.

Nevada Extends Casino Coronavirus-Related Closures Until April 30

Las Vegas casinos will be closed at least another month due to coronavirus fears, but the dormant resorts and convention halls are getting alternatively used for healthcare services.

The new order keeps the state’s hospitality industry and most other businesses shuttered in line with national social distancing guidelines that President Donald Trump decided over the weekend to extend until April 30 to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Sisolak said activating the National Guard will speed up and make logistical planning and delivery of medical supplies more efficient, as well as provide additional resources for the state’s labor force. It also makes Nevada eligible for additional federal funding.

At least 31 people have died of the coronavirus in Nevada, and more than 1,000 people in the state have been diagnosed with the COVID-19.

Officials said up to 1,000 beds could be provided at about 12 Las Vegas-area hotels, motels, convention halls, surgical centers and warehouses to shelter recuperating coronavirus patients who don’t need hospitalization. Clark County Commission Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said more sites were sought.

The facilities are in addition to a 40-bed temporary hospital being built next to the Southern Nevada Health District office and a 350-bed tent complex under construction next to Cashman Center for homeless people who need isolation but not hospitalization.

Hilton, American Express Offer 1 Million Rooms to Coronavirus Frontline Medical Staff

Hilton and American Express are partnering on an initiative to provide up to one million hotel room nights for doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other frontline medical staff who need somewhere to sleep or safely self-isolate between April 13 and the end of May, the companies announced Monday. Rooms will either be paid for by Hilton and American Express or, in some cases, donated by individual hotel owners.

“During this crisis, we have seen so many examples of medical professionals working in the most challenging circumstances, sacrificing their own needs for the greater good,” Hilton President and CEO Christopher Nassetta said in a statement. “They truly are heroes.”

Hilton is initially working with 10 medical associations, including the American Hospital Association and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, to assist the organizations’ more than one million members find a place to sleep away from home as a precautionary measure against spreading coronavirus to family members.

Rooms will be available across a variety of Hilton brands and be staffed by team members who underwent additional safety and health training to protect themselves and guests during the ongoing pandemic. Hotel rooms and common areas will also be sanitized with industrial-grade cleaners and updated cleaning protocols in light of coronavirus.

Hong Kong’s Top Tourism Executive Plans Marketing Blitz to Revive Travel by July

The impact of the novel coronavirus on Hong Kong’s tourism sector is unprecedented and the city can hope to start seeing things returning to normal by July, in part by trying to develop new markets, the head of the tourism board told Reuters.

The coronavirus crisis has paralysed the global financial hub’s economy, which was already reeling from months of anti-government protests, with travel restrictions to curb the spread of infection grinding tourism to a halt.

The tourism sector accounts for about 4.5% of Hong Kong’s gross domestic product and employs around 260,000 people.

Cheng was speaking hours before the government announced relief measures worth HK$137.5 billion ($17.7 billion) to help businesses and people crippled by the coronavirus outbreak to stay on their feet.

In a bid to stamp out the disease COVID-19 caused by the virus, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has already imposed tough restrictions, including banning all tourist arrivals and prohibiting gatherings of more than four people.

The city’s tourist arrivals plunged 96.4% year-on-year in February to 199,123 visitors, the latest data shows, compared with a 52.7% year-on-year drop in January. The number of mainland visitors fell 97.8% year-on-year in February to 98,804.

Candy Marth has been appointed General Manager at IntercityHotel Rostock

43-year old Candy Marth is an experienced manager who has emerged from Deutsche Hospitality's own ranks. Candy Marth took over the reins at the 174-room IntercityHotel Rostock on the Baltic Coast with effect from 1 April.

Candy Marth has worked for the hotel group for 20 years. During this period, she has fulfilled various roles in the fields of management assistance and human resources as well as being Head of Events at the Intercity Hotel Stralsund.

Ms. Marth replaces Katrin Schissler as General Manager of the IntercityHotel Rostock.

Steven Drewery Named Executive Assistant Manager for the Pan Pacific London Hotel

Pan Pacific London announced the appointment of Steven Drewery as Executive Assistant Manager for Pan Pacific Hotels Group's first London property, opening in Autumn 2020.

Steven joins from The Biltmore Mayfair, where he was an integral part of the pre-opening and operational activity for the first London outpost of Hilton's most upmarket brand, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

In the new Executive Assistant Manager position, he will support Anne Golden, General Manager, on strategic decision making in addition to overseeing all Pan Pacific London's food and beverage operations. A highly established professional within the industry, Steven has an exemplary background in luxury hotel management and F&B operations, which includes positions at JW Marriott Grosvenor House; Fairmont Bab Al Bahr; Giorgio Armani, Ritz-Carlton and Conrad in Tokyo; Swissotel Singapore; and Peninsula Hong Kong.

Set to open its doors in Autumn 2020, Pan Pacific London will be taking reservations from Spring 2020. Located in a mixed-use development at One Bishopsgate Plaza, the City's new landmark tower, the hotel is currently under construction and will provide a new hospitality offering to The City of London. 

Lodging Partners Announces Sale of Residence Inn Durango

Lodging Partners, LLC, a member of Hotel Brokers International, announced the 66-guestroom Residence Inn located in Durango has sold to a regional owner/operator of premium-branded select-service hotels.

Lodging Partners along with HREC Investment Advisors represented the seller on this transaction. The marketing and negotiations were led by Ford Barton of Lodging Partners and Jeffrey Duni at HREC Investment Advisors.

Durango is considered to be an authentic Colorado town with a rich history and an endless supply of recreational activities, making it an exceptional tourist destination with diversified demand drivers. 

 The Hotel recently completed a major renovation of all guest rooms and public areas. The Hotel is in great physical condition and is well-positioned to capitalize on the market’s continued economic growth and expanding leisure demand.

"This is the second Marriott property that Lodging Partners has represented for the seller, and we were pleased to assist them in reaching their goals and objectives," said Ford Barton, Principal of Lodging Partners.

Sandra Wigger Promoted General Manager At IntercityHotel Zurich Airport, Switzerland

30-year old Sandra Wigger began her career by training as a hotel specialist at the Mövenpick Hotel Zurich Airport and has continued to expand her knowledge base ever since.

In September 2019, she obtained a degree level qualification in "Hospitality Controlling & Hotel Asset Management" after completing a 6-month course of study at the IST University of Applied Sciences.

Sandra Wigger was employed at the Steigenberger Bellerive au Lac between November 2014 and December 2019. She held positions as Front Office Manager and then as Rooms Division Manager during this period before making the switch to IntercityHotel GmbH on 1 January 2020.

Payment Processing Data Shows Severe Impact on Hotels and Restaurants

Shift4 Payments, the leader in integrated payment processing solutions, has announced the launch of Shift4Cares.com, a round-the-clock online resource for government agencies, news outlets and businesses affected by COVID-19. The website offers a wealth of valuable information on the economic impact of this pandemic and is part of Shift4’s initiative to raise over $200 million for restaurants and other small businesses — including up to $10 million contributed directly from the company.

Nationally, restaurant transactions declined from 42 million to 11 million during this time period, while hotel transactions declined from 144 million to 20 million. Nationwide and state-by-state data is available at Shift4Cares.com.

Shift4 to Raise Over $200 Million for Small Businesses

In addition to this transaction data, Shift4Cares.com includes the ability for consumers to support local hospitality businesses greatly affected by the Coronavirus crisis by purchasing gift cards, with Shift4 contributing an additional 5% of the amount spent to each merchant. Shift4 is working to raise over $200 million for the small business community through this gift card initiative — with Shift4 donating up to $10 million of the company’s own money.

For every gift card purchased through the site, Shift4 Payments will contribute an additional 5% to the business — up to $10 million. For example, a $100 gift card purchase on the site would result in $105 for the merchant.

London Hotel Industry Shows Significant Year-over-year Declines

London hotel occupancy fell 57.8% to 34.5% in March, according to preliminary STR data. ADR decreased 10.4% to £124.15 ($153.70) and RevPAR declined 62.1% to £42.88 ($53.09).

Reflecting the circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic, STR’s preliminary March data for hotels in London shows significant year-over-year declines in the three key performance metrics.

Comparison with March 2019:

• Occupancy: -57.8% to 34.5%
• Average daily rate (ADR): -10.4% to GBP124.15
• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -62.1% to GBP42.88

Daily data for the month shows 31 consecutive days of double-digit declines in occupancy and RevPAR.

STR continues to monitor the COVID-19 impact on global hotel industry performance.

U.S. Hotel Industry Reports 21.6 Percent Occupancy for Week Ending April 4th - 2020

Reflecting the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. hotel industry reported significant year-over-year declines in the three key performance metrics during the week of 29 March through 4 April 2020, according to data from STR.

In comparison with the week of 31 March through 6 April 2019, the industry recorded the following:

• Occupancy: -68.5% to 21.6%

• Average daily rate (ADR): -41.5% to US$76.51

• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -81.6% to US$16.50

  Aggregate data for the Top 25 Markets showed steeper declines across the metrics: occupancy (-74.7% to 19.4%), ADR (-47.0% to US$85.61) and RevPAR (-86.6% to US$16.57).  

  Among those Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island, Hawaii, experienced the largest decrease in occupancy (-90.7%) and the only single-digit absolute occupancy level (7.0%). The decline in occupancy resulted in the steepest drop in RevPAR (-93.7% to US$10.83). 

  Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin, posted the largest decline in ADR (-57.0% to US$68.23). 

  Of note, occupancy in New York, New York, was down 79.1% to 18.3%. In Seattle, Washington, occupancy dropped 73.3% to 19.5%

Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection in Orlando, Florida Sold

Waramaug Hospitality announced that it acquired the Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, located in Orlando, Florida.

The 214-room lifestyle getaway property, part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, offers boutique hotel rooms adorned with luxurious bedding and ample workstations, providing a seamless stay for both business and leisure travelers alike.

The property is conveniently located along International Drive moments from the Orange County Convention Center, Wheel at ICON Park, Pointe Orlando as well as Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and Walt Disney World. Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, currently scheduled to open in 2023, is located across the street from the hotel.

The property will continue to be managed by Schulte Hospitality Group. 

57% of Branded Hotels in India Have Become Non-operational

The Indian hospitality sector is undergoing one of its worst-ever crises in living memory and is putting every effort to deal with this unprecedented invasion. Even now, hotels are relentlessly providing quality services to their guests. So, who are the guests staying at these hotels?

The few hotels that are operating are running with occupancies ranging at circa 10% or even lower.

So, who are the guests staying in these hotels?

Hotels are being offered as quarantine facilities for new arrivals
Hotels are offering their facilities for quarantine purposes to people who have traveled into India recently and have been asked by the Government to adhere to a 14-day, self-isolation period. These hotels are providing guests with all possible comforts, albeit within the confinement of their rooms, following government regulations and safety standards.

Guests who were not able to return due to the lock down
Several foreign and domestic guests, some of whom were long staying guests at the hotel, who were not able to return home to their respective countries or cities due to the lock down are also continuing their stay. For these stranded guests, hotels are providing them a ‘home away from home’.

Hotels as ‘offices’ for business continuity teams
In some cases, hotel rooms are getting converted as ‘office spaces’ for organizations. As we all know that essential services need to run even in the current challenging environment. Several organizations have set-up small Business Continuity teams to continue their operations. These teams are staying and working from hotel rooms to ensure that they are able to maintain essential services for their clients. Meanwhile, hotels provide these teams all the facilities and infrastructure required for their operations, along with stay and meals, while maintaining ‘social distancing’ protocols required in the current situation.

Changes in the Housing Market Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic Are the Result of Forces Much Larger Than Airbnb’s Community of Hosts According to Airbnb

COVID-19 has placed enormous pressure on just about every aspect of the economy. With thousands of planes grounded, scores of restaurants shuttered, and few people seeking overnight accommodations, the travel and tourism industry is at a standstill.

Third-party real estate economists have rebutted these claims, but we have received several questions about this matter, so we wanted to address it directly. 

Our analysis indicates that these claims are inaccurate: 

• Today, there are more listings on the Airbnb platform than there were a year ago. 

• In large cities popular with tourists, such as Las Vegas, Montreal, Rome and Paris, the number of active Airbnb listings have increased over the last 30 days. 

• Among the top-20 U.S. and Canada cities, 80 percent saw a net change of fewer than 200 listings over the last 30 days. 

• There has not been any meaningful change to Airbnb’s supply in our top-20 U.S. and Canada cities or in our top-10 European cities.

  We are at an unprecedented moment globally. Unemployment and lost income are rising quickly, leading to a decrease in demand for traditional, 12-month home and apartment leases. In recent weeks, web traffic to web portals has dropped as much as 40 percent, meanwhile U.S. searches for “rental” and “lease” are down 42 and 33 percentage points, respectively, in the last month, according to Google Trends.

How COVID-19 is Inspiring New Ideas in Food Retail

With social distancing rules in place, and restrictions on eating out to stop the spread of COVID-19, food retailers have been forced to reinvent their business models to maintain cash flow.

From restaurant kitchens turning into bakeries, to bars home delivering drinks packages, and takeaways turning to food apps, many are stepping up in how they connect with their customers and tap into new demand, boosting their readiness for future trends.

In Australia there are about 60,000 venues affected by measures to prevent people gathering, which include closing food courts, and allowing only takeaway or delivery options for cafes, bars and restaurants. In many cities across the world, venues have shut altogether.

The speed of the outbreak has forced retailers and landlords to think quickly about how to adapt to these new norms, when the sector was already subject to evolutionary pressures including e-commerce, increased urban living and changing shopping and social behaviours.

Necessity leads to invention

Around the world, there are pockets of quick and inspired thinking. With licencing restrictions in Australia relaxed to allow bars to deliver alcohol, Sydney bar Dulcie’s have put together a ‘Quarantini-hour’ pack, including glasses for hire, and a link to the bar’s playlist.

In London, the healthy meal delivery company and deli chain Detox Kitchen is working alongside its produce supplier to create food boxes for consumers with goods usually sold to restaurants, such as vegetables, fruit, eggs and dry ingredients.

“We’re also making sure shopping centre websites and social media accounts are listing all these details and that their profile and reach is being leveraged to support their retailers. It’s not just about writing a ‘we are still open’ post and hoping for the best. There’s a lot of strategy and some really techy stuff that goes into good social media.”

To support retailers and landlord through this period it refers to as ‘business unusual’, Brain and Poulter has created a ‘triage package’ for retailers including best practice guidelines for takeaway and delivery services, as well as cost management advice.

Fuel Hotel Marketing Podcast: Episode 138 - Adjustments To Consider For Your Hotel Advertising Right Now

These are unprecedented times and they call for us to rethink our advertising approach. In this episode, we discuss some simple considerations that you should be thinking about when updating your hotel advertising.

At Fuel, we think a little differently. We believe that we’re making the world just a little bit better by connecting people with the right products and services. “Travel Marketing…Simplified.” That’s our motto and our commitment. Headquartered in the heart of the travel and tourism industry in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Fuel provides all digital services in-house through a team of experts who understand the potential of well-executed, effective online marketing

For more information please visit below mention website:

http://www.fueltravel.com/?utm_source=Hotel+News+Resource

Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey Obispado Opens in Mexico

Hilton announced the opening of its new Hilton Garden Inn in Mexico — Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey Obispado. Owned by Real State Agency ALORA and developed by Promotora DEVI SA de CV, the 176-room hotel is located within Torre TOP, a new mixed-use project with LEED Gold Certification for sustainable buildings. Upon completion, Torre TOP will be recognized as Mexico’s tallest skyscraper.

Located two miles away from San Pedro Garza Garcia, Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey Obispado boasts 176 guestrooms that offer panoramic views of the Monterrey mountain range. The rooms also feature the brand’s signature bedding, which includes fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality center” with a mini fridge as well as a coffee maker. 

Situated in front of the San Pedro corporate and financial area and surrounded by important medical establishments such as Christus Muguerza Hospital and Sierra Madre Hospital, the hotel boasts convenient access to downtown tourist attractions, such as Macroplaza, Santa Lucia walkway, Metropolitan Cathedral, Mirador del Obispado, Fundidora Park and Museo del Acero Horno 3. Guests can take advantage of a complimentary shuttle service to reach destinations within five miles of the property. 

Hilton currently has a portfolio of nearly 160 hotels and resorts across 25 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, including just about 70 properties in Mexico. The company is actively pursuing additional Caribbean and Latin American growth opportunities and currently has a robust pipeline of more than 100 hotels throughout the region, including 30 hotels in the pipeline in Mexico.

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Fairfield Napa Valley Makes Its Debut in California

The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Fairfield Napa Valley has opened its doors in Fairfield, California.

The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Fairfield Napa Valley will provide guests with an experience they can count on and the amenities today's travelers have come to expect. The SureStay service promise reflects the brand and the hotel's commitment to providing quality service and value to its guests.

Located at 3331 N. Texas St. in Fairfield, California, the hotel features 100 guest rooms

The property's location near world-class wineries and delicious restaurants makes it an optimal place to call home base when visiting Napa Valley. Also nearby is the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser beer brewery with a tasting room and tours and the Vacaville Premium Outlets which boasts 120 stores.

For more family fun, the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord water park are also in the area. Also nearby is the Travis Air Force Base, home to the site of the largest military aerial port in the United States.

"It has been a pleasure working alongside Sona Sales & Management to introduce SureStay Hotel Group to Fairfield," adds Daniel Knuckles, Regional Manager of SureStay Hotel Group. "We are confident that David Chin and his team will deliver on our service promise."